A nod from Kazakhstan

The country's government has been less than thrilled with Sasha Baron Cohen's spoof of Kazakhs, but novelist Sapabek Asip-uly has nominated the actor for a national award.

Cohen's racist, sexist alter ego "has managed to spark an immense interest of the whole world in Kazakhstan--something our authorities could not do during the years of independence," said Asip-uly, who is stumping for Cohen to receive a Kazakh Club of Art Patrons annual award.

Asip-uly also advises them to lighten up. "If state officials completely lack a sense of humor, their country becomes a laughing stock," he said.